Sarah Weiskopf, Ph.D.
Sarah Weiskopf is a Research Ecologist at the National Climate Adaptation Science Center.
Sarah Weiskopf is a Research Ecologist at the National Climate Adaptation Science Center, where she works at the interface between ecological research and biodiversity and conservation policy. Her research focuses on the responses of ecosystems and ecosystem services to global change, with specific focus on species range shifts, biodiversity modeling, and science synthesis.
Sarah received her Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, M.S. in wildlife ecology, B.S. in wildlife conservation, and B.A. in biology from the University of Delaware. Sarah joined the USGS in 2016 as a Presidential Management Fellow, where she served as a chapter lead on the Ecosystems, Biodiversity, and Ecosystems Services chapter of the Fourth National Climate Assessment. Sarah also has experience working on international biodiversity policy. She served as the U.S. Focal Point for the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for six years and spent several months on detail at the Department of State Office of Conservation and Water.
Professional Experience
National Biodiversity Lead, USGS National Climate Adaptation Science Center - 2018-present
Presidential Management Fellow Detail, Department of State Office of Conservation and Water - 2017
Presidential Management Fellow, USGS National Climate Adaptation Science Center - 2016-2018
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. in Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts Amherst
M.S. in Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware
B.S. in Wildlife Conservation, University of Delaware
B.A. in Biology, University of Delaware
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 24
Climate change risks and adaptation options for Madagascar
Climate change poses an increasing threat to achieving development goals and is often considered in development plans and project designs. However, there have been challenges in the effective implementation of those plans, particularly in the sustained engagement of the communities to undertake adaptive actions, but also due to insufficient scientific information to inform management...
Authors
Sarah R. Weiskopf, Janet Alice Cushing, Toni Lyn Morelli, Bonnie Myers
A new approach to evaluate and reduce uncertainty of model-based biodiversity projections for conservation policy formulation
Biodiversity projections with uncertainty estimates under different climate, land-use, and policy scenarios are essential to setting and achieving international targets to mitigate biodiversity loss. Evaluating and improving biodiversity predictions to better inform policy decisions remains a central conservation goal and challenge. A comprehensive strategy to evaluate and reduce...
Authors
Bonnie Myers, Sarah R. Weiskopf, Alexey N. Shiklomanov, Simon Ferrier, Ensheng Weng, Kimberly Ann Casey, Michael Harfoot, Stephen Jackson, Allison K. Leidner, Timothy M. Lenton, Gordon Luikart, Hiroyuki Matsuda, Nathalie Pettorelli, Isabel M. D. Rosa, Alexander C. Ruane, Gabriel B. Senay, Shawn P. Serbin, Derek P. Tittensor, T. Douglas Beard,
A climate risk management screening and assessment review for Madagascar’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy
Madagascar, a country rich in natural capital and biodiversity but with high levels of poverty, food insecurity, and population growth, faces a number of development challenges, including obtaining sustained financial support from external sources and building internal capacity to address the poor environmental, health, and socio-economic conditions. Climate change poses an increasing...
Authors
Janet Alice Cushing, Sarah R. Weiskopf, Toni Lyn Morelli, Bonnie Myers
Multilocus metabarcoding of terrestrial leech bloodmeal iDNA increases species richness uncovered in surveys of vertebrate host biodiversity
Leech-derived invertebrate DNA (iDNA) has been successfully leveraged to conduct surveys of vertebrate host biodiversity across the Indo Pacific. However, this technique has been limited methodologically, typically only targeting mammalian 16S rDNA, or both 16S and vertebrate 12S rDNA for leech host determination. To improve the taxonomic richness of vertebrate host species in iDNA...
Authors
Mai Fahmy, Kalani Williams, Michael Tessler, Sarah R. Weiskopf, Evon Hekkala, Mark E. Siddall
What are the effects of climate variability and change on ungulate life-histories, population dynamics, and migration in western North America? A systematic map protocol
Climate is an important driver of ungulate life-histories, population dynamics, and migratory behaviors, and can affect the growth, development, fecundity, dispersal, and demographic trends of populations. Changes in temperature and precipitation, and resulting shifts in plant phenology, winter severity, drought and wildfire conditions, invasive species distribution and abundance...
Authors
Katherine C. Malpeli, Sarah R. Weiskopf, Laura M. Thompson, Amanda Hardy
Using information from global climate models to inform policymaking—The role of the U.S. Geological Survey
This report provides an overview of model-based climate science in a risk management context. In addition, it summarizes how the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) will continue to follow best scientific practices and when and how the results of this research will be delivered to the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and other stakeholders to inform policymaking. Climate change is a risk...
Authors
Adam Terando, David Reidmiller, Steven W. Hostetler, Jeremy S. Littell, T. Douglas Beard,, Sarah R. Weiskopf, Jayne Belnap, Geoffrey S. Plumlee
Do empirical observations support commonly-held climate change range shift hypotheses? A systematic review protocol
Background Among the most widely anticipated climate-related impacts to biodiversity are geographic range shifts, whereby species shift their spatial distribution in response to changing climate conditions. In particular, a series of commonly articulated hypotheses have emerged: species are expected to shift their distributions to higher latitudes, greater elevations, and deeper depths...
Authors
Madeleine A. Rubenstein, Sarah R. Weiskopf, Shawn L. Carter, Mitchell J. Eaton, Ciara G. Johnson, Abigail Lynch, Brian W. Miller, Toni Lyn Morelli, Mari Angel Rodriguez, Adam Terando, Laura M. Thompson
Climate change effects on biodiversity, ecosystems, ecosystem services, and natural resource management in the United States
Climate change is a pervasive and growing global threat to biodiversity and ecosystems. Here, we present the most up-to-date assessment of climate change impacts on biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecosystem services in the U.S. and implications for natural resource management. We draw from the 4th National Climate Assessment to summarize observed and projected changes to ecosystems and...
Authors
Sarah R. Weiskopf, Madeleine A. Rubenstein, Lisa G. Crozier, Sarah Gaichas, Roger Griffis, Jessica E. Halofsky, Kimberly J. W. Hyde, Toni Lyn Morelli, Jeffrey T. Morisette, Roldan C. Muñoz, Andrew J. Pershing, David L. Peterson, Rajendra Poudel, Michelle D Staudinger, Ariana Eileen Sutton-Grier, Laura M. Thompson, James M. Vose, Jake Weltzin, Kyle Powys Whyte
Climate change effects on deer and moose in the midwest
Climate change is an increasing concern for wildlife managers across the United States and Canada. Because climate change may alter populations and harvest dynamics of key species in the region, midwestern states have identified the effects of climate change on ungulates as a priority research area. We conducted a literature review of projected climate change in the Midwest and the...
Authors
Sarah R. Weiskopf, Olivia E. LeDee, Laura M. Thompson
Habitat overlap between Asiatic black bear Ursus thibetanus and red panda Ailurus fulgens in Himalaya
Studying habitat overlap between sympatric species is one of the best ways to identify interspecies relationships and to direct conservation efforts so that multiple species can benefit. However, studies exploring interspecies relationships are very limited in Nepal, making it difficult for the government of Nepal and conservation partners to manage wildlife in their habitats, especially...
Authors
Manjit Bista, Saroj Panthi, Sarah R. Weiskopf
Ecosystems, Ecosystem Services, and Biodiversity
Biodiversity—the variety of life on Earth—provides vital services that support and improve human health and well-being. Ecosystems, which are composed of living things that interact with the physical environment, provide numerous essential benefits to people. These benefits, termed ecosystem services, encompass four primary functions: provisioning materials, such as food and fiber...
Authors
Douglas Lipton, Madeleine A. Rubenstein, Sarah R. Weiskopf, Shawn L. Carter, Jay O. Peterson, Lisa G. Crozier, Michael Fogarty, Sarah Gaichas, Kimberly J. W. Hyde, Toni Lyn Morelli, Jeffrey T. Morisette, Hassan Moustahfid, Roldan C. Muñoz, Rajendra Poudel, Michelle D Staudinger, Charles Stock, Laura M. Thompson, Robin S. Waples, Jake Weltzin
U.S. Department of the Interior Climate Science Centers and U.S. Geological Survey National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center—Annual report for 2016
Introduction2016 was an exciting year for the Department of the Interior (DOI) Climate Science Centers (CSCs) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center (NCCWSC). In recognition of our ongoing efforts to raise awareness and provide the scientific data and tools needed to address the impacts of climate change on fish, wildlife, ecosystems...
Authors
Sarah R. Weiskopf, Elda Varela Minder, Holly A. Padgett
Non-USGS Publications**
Weiskopf, S.R., McCarthy, J.L., McCarthy, K.P., Shiklomanov, A.N., Wibisono, H.T., Pusparini, W. 2019. The conservation value of forest fragments in the increasingly agrarian landscape of Sumatra. Environmental Conservation. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0376892919000195
Weiskopf, S.R., McCarthy, K. P., Tessler, M., Rahman, H., McCarthy, J.L., Faisal, M.M., Siddall, M.E. 2018. Using terrestrial haematophagous leeches to enhance tropical biodiversity monitoring programs in Bangladesh. Journal of Applied Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13111
Tessler, M., Weiskopf, S.R., Berniker, L., Hersch, R., McCarthy, K.P., Yu, D. W., Siddall, M.E. 2018. Bloodlines: mammals, leeches, and conservation in southern Asia. Systematics and Biodiversity. https://doi.org/10.1080/14772000.2018.1433729
Weiskopf, S.R., Kachel, S.M., McCarthy, K.P. 2016. What are snow leopards really eating? Identifying bias in food habit studies. The Wildlife Society Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.640
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 24
Climate change risks and adaptation options for Madagascar
Climate change poses an increasing threat to achieving development goals and is often considered in development plans and project designs. However, there have been challenges in the effective implementation of those plans, particularly in the sustained engagement of the communities to undertake adaptive actions, but also due to insufficient scientific information to inform management...
Authors
Sarah R. Weiskopf, Janet Alice Cushing, Toni Lyn Morelli, Bonnie Myers
A new approach to evaluate and reduce uncertainty of model-based biodiversity projections for conservation policy formulation
Biodiversity projections with uncertainty estimates under different climate, land-use, and policy scenarios are essential to setting and achieving international targets to mitigate biodiversity loss. Evaluating and improving biodiversity predictions to better inform policy decisions remains a central conservation goal and challenge. A comprehensive strategy to evaluate and reduce...
Authors
Bonnie Myers, Sarah R. Weiskopf, Alexey N. Shiklomanov, Simon Ferrier, Ensheng Weng, Kimberly Ann Casey, Michael Harfoot, Stephen Jackson, Allison K. Leidner, Timothy M. Lenton, Gordon Luikart, Hiroyuki Matsuda, Nathalie Pettorelli, Isabel M. D. Rosa, Alexander C. Ruane, Gabriel B. Senay, Shawn P. Serbin, Derek P. Tittensor, T. Douglas Beard,
A climate risk management screening and assessment review for Madagascar’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy
Madagascar, a country rich in natural capital and biodiversity but with high levels of poverty, food insecurity, and population growth, faces a number of development challenges, including obtaining sustained financial support from external sources and building internal capacity to address the poor environmental, health, and socio-economic conditions. Climate change poses an increasing...
Authors
Janet Alice Cushing, Sarah R. Weiskopf, Toni Lyn Morelli, Bonnie Myers
Multilocus metabarcoding of terrestrial leech bloodmeal iDNA increases species richness uncovered in surveys of vertebrate host biodiversity
Leech-derived invertebrate DNA (iDNA) has been successfully leveraged to conduct surveys of vertebrate host biodiversity across the Indo Pacific. However, this technique has been limited methodologically, typically only targeting mammalian 16S rDNA, or both 16S and vertebrate 12S rDNA for leech host determination. To improve the taxonomic richness of vertebrate host species in iDNA...
Authors
Mai Fahmy, Kalani Williams, Michael Tessler, Sarah R. Weiskopf, Evon Hekkala, Mark E. Siddall
What are the effects of climate variability and change on ungulate life-histories, population dynamics, and migration in western North America? A systematic map protocol
Climate is an important driver of ungulate life-histories, population dynamics, and migratory behaviors, and can affect the growth, development, fecundity, dispersal, and demographic trends of populations. Changes in temperature and precipitation, and resulting shifts in plant phenology, winter severity, drought and wildfire conditions, invasive species distribution and abundance...
Authors
Katherine C. Malpeli, Sarah R. Weiskopf, Laura M. Thompson, Amanda Hardy
Using information from global climate models to inform policymaking—The role of the U.S. Geological Survey
This report provides an overview of model-based climate science in a risk management context. In addition, it summarizes how the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) will continue to follow best scientific practices and when and how the results of this research will be delivered to the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and other stakeholders to inform policymaking. Climate change is a risk...
Authors
Adam Terando, David Reidmiller, Steven W. Hostetler, Jeremy S. Littell, T. Douglas Beard,, Sarah R. Weiskopf, Jayne Belnap, Geoffrey S. Plumlee
Do empirical observations support commonly-held climate change range shift hypotheses? A systematic review protocol
Background Among the most widely anticipated climate-related impacts to biodiversity are geographic range shifts, whereby species shift their spatial distribution in response to changing climate conditions. In particular, a series of commonly articulated hypotheses have emerged: species are expected to shift their distributions to higher latitudes, greater elevations, and deeper depths...
Authors
Madeleine A. Rubenstein, Sarah R. Weiskopf, Shawn L. Carter, Mitchell J. Eaton, Ciara G. Johnson, Abigail Lynch, Brian W. Miller, Toni Lyn Morelli, Mari Angel Rodriguez, Adam Terando, Laura M. Thompson
Climate change effects on biodiversity, ecosystems, ecosystem services, and natural resource management in the United States
Climate change is a pervasive and growing global threat to biodiversity and ecosystems. Here, we present the most up-to-date assessment of climate change impacts on biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecosystem services in the U.S. and implications for natural resource management. We draw from the 4th National Climate Assessment to summarize observed and projected changes to ecosystems and...
Authors
Sarah R. Weiskopf, Madeleine A. Rubenstein, Lisa G. Crozier, Sarah Gaichas, Roger Griffis, Jessica E. Halofsky, Kimberly J. W. Hyde, Toni Lyn Morelli, Jeffrey T. Morisette, Roldan C. Muñoz, Andrew J. Pershing, David L. Peterson, Rajendra Poudel, Michelle D Staudinger, Ariana Eileen Sutton-Grier, Laura M. Thompson, James M. Vose, Jake Weltzin, Kyle Powys Whyte
Climate change effects on deer and moose in the midwest
Climate change is an increasing concern for wildlife managers across the United States and Canada. Because climate change may alter populations and harvest dynamics of key species in the region, midwestern states have identified the effects of climate change on ungulates as a priority research area. We conducted a literature review of projected climate change in the Midwest and the...
Authors
Sarah R. Weiskopf, Olivia E. LeDee, Laura M. Thompson
Habitat overlap between Asiatic black bear Ursus thibetanus and red panda Ailurus fulgens in Himalaya
Studying habitat overlap between sympatric species is one of the best ways to identify interspecies relationships and to direct conservation efforts so that multiple species can benefit. However, studies exploring interspecies relationships are very limited in Nepal, making it difficult for the government of Nepal and conservation partners to manage wildlife in their habitats, especially...
Authors
Manjit Bista, Saroj Panthi, Sarah R. Weiskopf
Ecosystems, Ecosystem Services, and Biodiversity
Biodiversity—the variety of life on Earth—provides vital services that support and improve human health and well-being. Ecosystems, which are composed of living things that interact with the physical environment, provide numerous essential benefits to people. These benefits, termed ecosystem services, encompass four primary functions: provisioning materials, such as food and fiber...
Authors
Douglas Lipton, Madeleine A. Rubenstein, Sarah R. Weiskopf, Shawn L. Carter, Jay O. Peterson, Lisa G. Crozier, Michael Fogarty, Sarah Gaichas, Kimberly J. W. Hyde, Toni Lyn Morelli, Jeffrey T. Morisette, Hassan Moustahfid, Roldan C. Muñoz, Rajendra Poudel, Michelle D Staudinger, Charles Stock, Laura M. Thompson, Robin S. Waples, Jake Weltzin
U.S. Department of the Interior Climate Science Centers and U.S. Geological Survey National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center—Annual report for 2016
Introduction2016 was an exciting year for the Department of the Interior (DOI) Climate Science Centers (CSCs) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center (NCCWSC). In recognition of our ongoing efforts to raise awareness and provide the scientific data and tools needed to address the impacts of climate change on fish, wildlife, ecosystems...
Authors
Sarah R. Weiskopf, Elda Varela Minder, Holly A. Padgett
Non-USGS Publications**
Weiskopf, S.R., McCarthy, J.L., McCarthy, K.P., Shiklomanov, A.N., Wibisono, H.T., Pusparini, W. 2019. The conservation value of forest fragments in the increasingly agrarian landscape of Sumatra. Environmental Conservation. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0376892919000195
Weiskopf, S.R., McCarthy, K. P., Tessler, M., Rahman, H., McCarthy, J.L., Faisal, M.M., Siddall, M.E. 2018. Using terrestrial haematophagous leeches to enhance tropical biodiversity monitoring programs in Bangladesh. Journal of Applied Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13111
Tessler, M., Weiskopf, S.R., Berniker, L., Hersch, R., McCarthy, K.P., Yu, D. W., Siddall, M.E. 2018. Bloodlines: mammals, leeches, and conservation in southern Asia. Systematics and Biodiversity. https://doi.org/10.1080/14772000.2018.1433729
Weiskopf, S.R., Kachel, S.M., McCarthy, K.P. 2016. What are snow leopards really eating? Identifying bias in food habit studies. The Wildlife Society Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.640
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.